Instead of passing a campaign finance-reform package that eliminated the prohibition, the County Council on Tuesday voted 5-4 along party lines to reconsider adding the ban.

The GOP-led maneuver did not please Democratic Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, who said such a ban could land the county in court.

"It's crap," she told her colleagues, adding that contractors such as pharmaceutical companies may end their business with the county if the measure is permanently included - pending yet another debate next week.

Councilman Joe Hatch, visibly angry, chastised the Republicans for catering to the "bizarre" behavior of county GOP Chairman James Evans, whom he accused of "whipping" them to change their previous votes. Four of the five Republicans had cast preliminary votes supporting the elimination of the 9-month-old contractor ban.

"It's a wedge issue, and you guys know it." Hatch said. "I've never seen it happen in this state under either party, ever."

Evans has dogged the council to include the ban, calling any other move a step backward.

The about-face was led by Council Chairman Michael Jensen, a Republican, who first apologized to the Democrats. He said he changed his mind after doing more research.

Council Republicans want the new language to ban campaign contributions from any individual who has a county contract for at least $10,000. They also want to prohibit donations from any contractor who has given $500 or more to an individual candidate.

Jensen denied talking to Evans about the topic, but conceded he has wrestled with the issue for a month.

The contractor ban was first introduced by then-acting Mayor Alan Dayton, a Republican, last year, after a spate of county scandals.

Wilson insists the real reform - a contribution cap lowered from $5,000 to $2,000 - is already included in the county's campaign-reform package.

Democratic Councilman Jim Bradley called the back and forth on the issue embarrassing. And he criticized what he called the "new ethical piousness" from Republican activists who he alleged were absent during the scandals that unfolded under former Mayor Nancy Workman.

"Let's call it what it is - political grandstanding," Bradley said.

djensen@sltrib.com